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The Kingswood Estate plant list has been meticulously curated to pinpoint precisely what thrives in Kingswood gardens.
The BUZZard tracked down horticulturist Sanet Maritz for a chat and a short tour of the estate, during which she pointed out where remedial work has had eye-pleasing results, as well as in-between bits where the team’s green expertise is currently being put into motion.
‘Actually, a gardener’s work is never done,’ says Sanet. ‘You can put in all the effort required to create a lovely garden, but if you leave it unattended for a year, you’ll be right back to where you started.’ Circles, roundabouts, and where the buck stops Sanet says when she first gained the Kingswood contract, her immediate concern was the estate’s entrances. ‘Whether you’re a resident, a golfer or a potential buyer the entrance is your first impression. Vegetation at all gates was in poor condition, so we got started on these high-profile areas at once. ‘While it is wonderful to live in harmony with the buck, our gardens don’t always agree.
For example, planting Agapanthus in the parking area near the clubhouse provided our furry friends with a delicious breakfast.’ Sanet says for that reason these sought-after plants are placed in areas less frequented by the buck, using the estate’s underpass as an example. Kingswood gardeners will know that springbok and other small game may stay away from roadsides and tunnels, but have no qualms about entering gardens for a snack. (See the list below for plants disliked by buck.)
Plant tech on tap
‘What we do in the estate’s gardens is what homeowners can apply to their private gardens,’ says Sanet. ‘Evaluate gardens to check on aspects such as the 80/20 indigenous/exotic ideal as described in the KGE guidelines. When this ratio is out of proportion, the Kingswood garden team can make recommendations as to filling the right spots with the right indigenous species.
‘Another reason why the estate’s gardens have improved so much is that we only use organic fertiliser,’ she explains. ‘A good variety is available locally, and it works much better than chemical products in the Southern Cape soil. We apply these fertilisers twice a year, in November and March. To contribute to the quality of our estate lawns we do an annual spring treatment, which includes scarifying and fertilising during September.’
Drive-by plant and people tour
While driving around the estate, Sanet remarks that in the first year of working with Kingswood, the gardens were overgrown, with poor soil conditions. ‘Lots of time was allocated to restoring appeal back into these gardens.
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Compost and bark chips play a significant role by providing an ideal growing environment for the plants.’ The extent of the team’s management of lawns along our route is clear – the grass literally shines with green energy. Whenever we encounter members of Sanet’s garden army – some spraying, some cutting or planting – everyone waves enthusiastically. ‘They know I’m very particular and will not hesitate to point out when quality standards are not met. I believe in constructive criticism, in motivation and praise and pride in your work.’
Meet Esmeralda
At Kingswood, Sanet’s right-hand lady is Esmeralda Maart – a budding landscaper who was spotted by Sanet as a clear candidate for taking the reins of garden teams at the estate. ‘You’ve got to have the love,’ says Esmeralda, adding that she treats plants like people, and beams positive energy to these floral charges for best results. Chatting with Sanet over the day’s progress, Esmeralda mentions that 300 plants used in the new phase four development were obtained from their on-site nursery.
A Mexican wave of colours
The mini estates within the estate, such as Kingswood Gardens, Hamlet, Crest and Manor, have been a particular focus of the team. ‘At Gardens, for instance, wild-growing gardens were reduced to make way for patches of lawn where kids could have some play areas. At Crest, nothing would grow next to the perimeter wall, so we planted water-wise specimens that gave the results we had aimed for,’ explains Sanet. ‘I love what you can do with colour at different times of the year to ensure that there is always something in bloom.’ Pointing to a nearby groundcover, she reminds us that these underrated protectors of the soil also come in an array of different colours and textures.
‘Their greens, reds and yellows work well with all kinds of flowering plants. Attention to detail is key, and when you get the timing right, you can have a wide variety of colour all year round.’
No buck feed…
Sanet provided this list of 20-odd plants that are the safest when considering hungry buck and other small game. ‘It’s important to mention that younger plants must be protected for a while, because the foliage is often still soft and easily edible.’ Cotyledon orbiculata (pig’s ears), Carex comans (Amazon mist), C. berggrenii and C. testacea, Carissa macrocarpa (green carpet, num-num), Festuca ovina and F. glauca (fescue grass), Coleonema album and C. pulchellum (pink confetti bush), Crassula ovata (jade plant) and C. multicava (fairy crassula), Salvia aurea (beach salvia/bruinsalie) and S. chamelaeagnea (bloublomsalie), Euryops virgineus (honey marguerite), Aloes (in bloom when other plants stop flowering), Chondropetalum ebracteatum and C. tectorum (thatch reed/dekriet), Chlorophytum saundersiae (weeping anthericum), Pennisetum setaceum ‘Purpureum’ (purple fountain grass), Tulbaghia violacea (silver lace). ‘I didn’t include proteas, cone bushes or pincushions on this list because they serve for an interesting topic in our next article.
